Undergraduate Scholarships

Please visit our Office of Student Aid at Penn State for an overview of scholarship information and resources.

Academic and Need-Based Scholarships

All Penn State Behrend students are automatically considered for most of our academic and need-based scholarships. There is no separate Penn State application for most scholarships, however, filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required for need-based scholarship consideration.

While Penn State continues to build its scholarship endowment, available funds do not yet reach all deserving students. Each year, Penn State enrolls many outstanding and academically talented students and therefore cannot assist all deserving students. Scholarship funds are very competitive and limited.

Awards vary and are determined by donor guidelines. The average award is $2,500 for the academic year. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit or financial need, or a combination, as defined by the specific scholarship program.

Leadership Scholarships

Penn State Behrend offers numerous leadership scholarships based on extracurricular activities and leadership potential. The First Year Class Leadership Scholarship application window for students starting in fall 2019 is closed; the application window for students who will begin studying at the college in fall 2020 opens in fall 2019.

Penn State change-of-campus students and transfer/advanced standing students should contact our Student Affairs Office for details on applying.

Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Scholarships

Penn State Behrend offers Chancellor's Scholarships to community-college graduates who are members of Phi Theta Kappa, the International Honor Society of the Two Year College. Students must provide a certificate of membership and a letter of recommendation from their PTK chapter adviser to be considered. Contact the Penn State Behrend Financial Aid Office for further details.

Lawrence and Elizabeth Held Scholarships

Students enrolled in a major in Penn State Behrend's Black School of Business who have been accepted into the University-wide Schreyer Honors College will be considered for scholarships up to $10,000 per year. Learn more about scholarships for honors business majors.

Schreyer Scholars Program

First-year students selected to join the Schreyer Scholars Program will receive four-year renewable awards of $5,000 per academic year. Penn State Behrend will provide a matching $5,000 per year scholarship to first-year students joining the Schreyer Honors College. These scholarships are renewable as long as students remain in good academic standing with the Schreyer Honors College. Students may be considered for admission to the Schreyer Scholars Program after their first year; however, scholarships are not guaranteed.

Students may also be selected to join the Penn State Behrend Honors Program. Although being a member of the Honors Program does not guarantee scholarship funds, many of the Penn State Behrend scholarships give priority to students who are members of the Schreyer Scholars or Behrend Honors programs.

Please visit the Schreyer Honors College and Penn State Behrend Honors Program for further details.

Employer-Based Scholarships

There are a number of scholarships offered by Penn State Behrend which give preference to students or dependents of parent(s) who work for specific companies. To apply, complete the online application form.

Grant in Aid Program

Penn State Behrend has a grant program for graduates of select New York and Ohio high schools. Please view our list of eligible schools. The Grant in Aid is also available to out-of-state residents who are graduates of Jamestown Community College in New York.

Veterans Benefits and Scholarships

Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, as well as their dependents, may be eligible to receive one or more educational benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Army ROTC Scholarships

The Penn State Behrend Army ROTC program offers generous scholarship benefits, including full tuition and fees coverage, book allotment, and spending allowance.

Study Abroad Scholarships

Penn State Behrend awards several study abroad scholarships to students enrolled or planning to enroll in an international study program who have a proven need for funds to meet their necessary college expenses. Complete a study abroad application to apply.

Outside Scholarships

Outside scholarships are available through civic foundations, nonprofit organizations, churches, high schools, and employers.

• Penn State also recommends several scholarship search programs on the internet. These searches are free to prospective and continuing students.
• Penn State Behrend's Office of Educational Equity and Diversity Programs maintains a list of scholarship opportunities.
• Finaid.org
• Fastweb.com

Creative Writing Scholarships

The following endowed scholarships are awarded to students who have achieved a superior academic record or who manifest promise of outstanding writing. Creative writing scholarships may require a separate application. Learn more about creative writing scholarships.

• Corey N. Farrell Memorial Scholarship
• Clarence A. Smith and Eugenie Baumann Smith Endowed Scholarship
• Kenneth J. Sonnenberg Poetry Award